Archive for the ‘Columbia River Gorge’ Category

Hood River Valley’s hard cider scene is exploding, with nine cideries and counting. These craft cidermakers source the apples, pears and other fruits from the 440+ local orchardists, creating ciders that truly give you a taste of Hood River, and place the region at the forefront of the new national hard cider movement. Now in its second year, the Hood River Hard-Pressed Cider Fest gives seasoned and novice cider drinkers alike the chance to sample cider from Hood River County’s very own cider makers, as well as a variety of additional Northwest cideries. More than 20 cideries will be participating, with more than 30 ciders on tap. The daylong event also features local food vendors, produce and arts vendors, a kid’s area and a line-up of local music, from bluegrass to classic rock – guaranteeing a great time for the whole family

‘Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people, from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment. Geocaching.comis the headquarters for the activity”

Did you know that Geocaching started in Oregon? A little history lesson, the full version can be read on the Geocaching.com history page from where I’ve gotten this information.

“Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment. Geocaching.com is the headquarters for the activity” On this site you can read the history of Geocaching.

* On May 2, 2000, at approximately midnight, eastern savings time, the great blue switch* controlling selective availability was pressed. Twenty-four satellites around the globe processed their new orders, and instantly the accuracy of GPS technology improved tenfold. Tens of thousands of GPS receivers around the world had an instant upgrade. Now, anyone could “precisely pinpoint their location or the location of items (such as game) left behind for later recovery.” How right they were.

* On May 3 a GPS enthusiast, Dave Ulmer, computer consultant, wanted to test the accuracy by hiding a navigational target in the woods. He called the idea the “Great American GPS Stash Hunt” and posted it in an internet GPS users’ group. The idea was simple: Hide a container out in the woods and note the coordinates with a GPS unit. On May 3rd he placed his own container, a black bucket, in the woods near Beavercreek, Oregon, near Portland.

* Within three days, two different readers read about his stash on the Internet, used their own GPS receivers to find the container, and shared their experiences online. Like many new and innovative ideas on the Internet, the concept spread quickly – but this one required leaving your computer to participate.

* Within the first month, Mike Teague, the first person to find Ulmer’s stash, began gathering the online posts of coordinates around the world and documenting them on his personal home page. The “GPS Stash Hunt” mailing list was created to discuss the emerging activity.

* Geocaching.com was released to the stash-hunting community on September 2, 2000. At the time the site was launched there were 75 known caches in the world. There are now over 1.5 million caches around the world, in only 12 years.’

This is certainly the condensed version. Visit Geocaching.com history for the full story. I checked to see if the Original Cache was still available, but alas, it has been archived and the Un-Original Stash placed in it’s honor. The links will take you to their listing on Geocaching.com but if you are not logged in I’m not sure if you will be able to view.

Oregon is becoming a top destination for cyclists, both off road and road biking, touring or simply day trippers.

Travel Oregon, the states leader in tourism, had created a program, Bike Friendly Business, to go along with the State’s Ride Oregon campaign. When cycling through and around Oregon Bike Friendly Businesses are committed to welcoming cyclists, offer amenities riders may need and have officially been recognized by the state.

Bike the Columbia River Gorge, the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway, the Willamette Valley and have a comfy bed and and hearty breakfast at an bed and breakfast along the way. A Bed and Breakfast offers so much more than a hotel. Oregon innkeepers know the best back roads, the best places to eat, the scenic attractions you won’t want to miss. You determine how far you want to go in one day. The whole adventure is about 200 miles and you’ll discover why those arriving in Oregon on the Oregon Trail called this place “paradise”. Our inn the Old Parkdale Inn B&B is recognized as a BFB and is the halfway point for this tour. Don’t necessarily want to tour? No problem. We invite you to explore the many backroads of the Hood River Valley.

As a participating business we need to adhere to program requirements and recommendations.
~ as a lodging partner we must provide a secure area to store bikes
~ serve up a hearty hi-carb breakfast with larger than life servings of fruits and vegetables
~ be able to share local knowledge about where visitors can find bike shops, bike maps, good places to ride, and where to pick up a bike rental
~ our guest rooms have oulets and power strips to plug in and re-charge phone and laptops safely and we have free WiFi connection in the house and out in the garden ~ provide laundry service ~ assist in shipping home any treasures you might find while touring the Hood River Valley on the Fruit Loop

Did you watch the Opening Ceremony last night for the Olympics? Did you see the sweaters being worn by Team USA!! American made from start to finish but I will focus on where it all started.

The Imperial Stock Ranch in Central Oregon is a family owned and operated ranch located on more than 30,000 acres of Oregon’s beautiful high desert. The only privately held ranch in Oregon recognized as a National Historic District, the Hinton/Ward family has been working the ranch since 1871.

Once a year the Ranch harvests the soft, versatile wool from their flock of Columbia sheep and transform this renewable resource into fiber and yarn. About 15 months ago the ranch was contacted by Ralph Lauren and the production of the sweaters began.

A diverse state with diverse growing regions, Oregon farmers and ranchers also produce award winning wines, berries, nuts, and fruit. The dairy farms produce high quality milk for delectable dairy products. These products are supplied to the restaurants, wineries and artisan food markets around the state so for a Northwest Culinary Adventure plan your trip through Oregon and experience the sights, sounds, and tastes it has to offer.

It was certainly cold this past weekend but that didn’t stop the businesses of Hood River, Oregon, from decking the halls. Strolling the downtown visitors will find beautifully lit holiday trees, decorated storefronts, and lots of unique shopping options—including alpaca clothing, handmade jewelry, and one-of-a-kind arts and crafts.

Due to the storm and very cold temps the tree lighting, parade and First Friday celebration will be this coming weekend, December 12 and 13. The downtown streets will be blocked off for easy downtown shopping. Enjoy good food, wine, beer unique shopping options in downtown Hood River, Oregon.

We sure do! Our gardens are a flurry of avian activity! Sparrows, finches, blackbirds, chickadees…the list goes on. Our most colorful visitors so far this spring have been the Evening Grosbeaks. They are a beautiful bird, don’t you think? And we have had at least 50 feeding regularly at our many feeding stations.

The gardens of the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast have been recognized as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Foundation. That is we provide feed, water, shelter and nesting provisions for the many species of birds that visit our gardens. One day last spring in just about a half hours time I identified 21 species of birds! I invite you to come sit in a secluded nook of our garden and watch the activities!

A couple years back someone tacked this added message below the warning sign that really states the obvious. Be prepared when exploring Oregon during the winter months. And don’t always rely on that GPS. Many forest roads, while beautiful alternatives from the main highways and freeways during the snow free months, are not maintained during the winter.

Travelers should be aware that even a few inches of snow can obscure icy roads and soft shoulders where vehicles can become stuck. Winter storms can trigger unexpected rock slides, and falling limbs and trees; they can quickly change driving conditions on forest roads from passable to impassable in a matter of minutes.

Keys to safe winter driving: Plan for the unexpected. Keep in mind that cell phones may not work in remote areas. Check the latest road and weather conditions at TripCheck.com or dial 511 before heading out. Always tell someone where you’re going and stick to that plan. Carry an emergency kit in your vehicle. Travelers should be prepared to spend long periods of time in the car. Blankets or sleeping bags, warm clothes, a snow shovel, water, food and other necessities are recommended as part of a complete vehicle emergency kit. Always fuel up at the beginning of the trip.

Weather can change quickly, particularly in higher elevations. Good snow tires, a 4-wheel drive vehicle, and chains are advised or often required, when driving in winter conditions. As a general rule, always adjust your speed to current conditions and drive at speeds that allow you to stop in half of the visible road distance ahead of you.

Helpful information about planning a trip to a national forest during the winter months can be found on the Know Before You Go webpage at go.usa.gov/Cmq.

ODOT and the County Maintenance Crews do an amazing job keeping our Highways and Interstates passable. They plow, they de-ice and sand but it is our job to use a little common sense, stay on roads maintained during the winter months, and drive cautiously to make sure we reach our destination safely.

Camped on the banks of the Columbia River in Mosier, Lewis and Clark asked the Native Americans how far they were from the Big Water, the Pacific Ocean. Their answer, ‘Three Sleeps’.

Three Sleeps Vineyard B&B sits high in the hills above the Columbia River Gorge. The vineyard is the source of Dominio IV’s Tempranillo, Syrah and Viognier grapes and is farmed organically and biodynamically. The B&B has two spacious room, both with their own private entrance, bath and cozy seating area. Start each day with a hardy breakfast, take a vineyard tour and relax on your private patio where you can enjoy the view of the vineyard, Mosier’s world famous cherry orchards and the night quiet.

It is spring in the Pacific Northwest. The rhubarb in the gardens of our inn, the Old Parkdale Inn, is just about ready to harvest and the Oregon strawberries are showing up at our Farmers Markets. Put the two together and we get a favorite of our guests, Strawberry-Rhubarb Coffee Cake.

Combine dry ingredients. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Beat wet ingredients together and add to flour mix, stirring just to moisten. Spread half the batter in a greased 9x13x2 inch baking pan. Spread the cooled rhubarb filling over this and spoon the remaining batter in small portions on top of the filling.